Computer-vision-based object tracking and guidance module

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a mount body by which the apparatus is secured to a structure. A camera assembly includes an image sensor adapted to capture images within its field of view. A lighting assembly houses one or more light sources including a directional light source. A control-board assembly, fixed to the mount body, houses control boards including one or more processors configured to acquire information about an object, to associate a location within the field of view of the image sensor with the object, to point light emitted by the directional light source at the location associated with the object by rotating the lighting assembly and turning the laser assembly, and, based on an image acquired from the camera assembly, to detect change within the field of view of the image sensor corresponding to placement or removal of the object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/371,479 titled “Computer-Vision-Based Object Tracking and Guidance Module,” filed on Jul. 9, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. Application Serial No. 16/740,679, titled “Computer-Vision-Based Object Tracking and Guidance Module,” filed on Jan. 13, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,089,232, which claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/791,413, titled “Computer Vision Tracking and Guidance Module”, filed on Jan. 11, 2019, the entirety of each of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to computer-vision-based object tracking and guidance apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

E-commerce continues to see significant year-over-year growth and is expected do so for the foreseeable future. Many such online retailers ship purchased goods to a customer’s front door. With the rise of “porch pirates”, though, namely, people who steal packages off from customers’ porches or front door areas, many customers want their online orders shipped to a store, where the purchased goods await their pickup. This process has the further advantage of saving money on shipping costs. Retailers are thus leveraging their brick-and-mortar stores to fulfill online sales, which increases customer foot traffic at their sites, wins more customers, and results in more volume.

Retailers, however, are not equipped to efficiently handle in-store pickups. Most buy-online-pickup-in store (BOPIS) solutions are expensive and require additional staff or significant changes in operation. A poorly designed pickup process can cause delay and frustrate customers. Once a customer has had a bad pickup experience, he or she is unlikely to try in-store pick-up again. Other self-pickup solutions, such as package lockers and package towers are expensive, restrictive, fixed, and take up space, and staffing a pickup counter takes staff away from the business of selling or other more productive business operations.

SUMMARY

All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

In one aspect, the invention is related to an apparatus comprising a mount body by which to secure the apparatus to a structure and a camera assembly fixed to the mount body. The camera assembly includes an image sensor that captures images within its field of view. The apparatus further comprises a lighting assembly rotatably connected to the mount body. The lighting assembly houses one or more light sources including a directional light source secured to a laser assembly. A control-board assembly, fixed to the mount body, houses control boards that are in electrical communication with the camera assembly to acquire the images captured by the image sensor and with the lighting assembly to control operation of the one or more light sources. The control boards include one or more processors configured to acquire information about an object, to associate a location within the field of view of the image sensor with the object, to point light emitted by the directional light source at the location associated with the object by rotating the lighting assembly and turning the laser assembly, and, based on an image acquired from the camera assembly, to detect change within the field of view of the image sensor corresponding to placement or removal of the object.

In some embodiments, the camera assembly further comprises a depth sensor fixed to a mounting surface and a plurality of support mounts of different heights attached to a frame of the camera assembly, and the image sensor is mounted to a board held by the plurality of support mounts at a non-zero offset angle relative to the mounting surface upon which the depth sensor is fixed. The support mounts can have rivet holes, and the camera assembly can further comprise push rivets that pass through the board into the rivet holes of the support mounts to secure the image sensor within the camera assembly.

In some embodiments, the mount body has a channel extending therethrough. The channel has opposing upper and lower surfaces and a side wall therebetween. The sidewall has two angled surfaces that determine a full range of angles at which the mount body can be mounted to a rail. One of the surfaces of the channel has a retaining boss extending therefrom. The retaining boss is located on the one surface to align with a groove of the rail. The retaining boss has a size that fits closely within the groove of the rail. The apparatus may further comprise a bracket with two arms and a mounting surface, and a channel bar attached between ends of the two arms. The channel bar has dimensions adapted to fit closely within and pass through the channel of the mount body. In another embodiment, the bracket has two opposing walls and a sidewall disposed therebetween, and the mount body includes a pair of flanges, one flange of the pair on each side of the mount body, each flange having an opening therein. A first wall of the two walls of the bracket enters the channel of the mount body and has openings that align with the openings of the flanges for receiving fasteners therethrough that secure the first wall to the flanges. A second wall of the two walls has openings therein for receiving fasteners therethrough that secure the second wall to a surface.

In another aspect, the invention is related to an apparatus comprising a mount body, a lighting assembly, attached to the mount body, that houses a directional light source, and a camera assembly, attached to the mount body, that houses an RGB (read green blue) camera and a depth camera that capture image information within their fields of view. The camera assembly has a mounting surface upon which the depth camera is fixed and a plurality of support mounts of different heights attached to a frame of the camera assembly. The RGB camera is mounted to a board supported by the plurality of support mounts of different heights and held at a non-zero offset angle relative to the mounting surface upon which the depth camera is fixed. The apparatus further comprises a control-board assembly that is attached to the mount body. The control-board assembly is in communication with the camera assembly to receive image information captured by the cameras and with the lighting assembly to control operation of the directional light source. The control-board assembly houses control boards that include a processor configured to receive and process images captured by the camera assembly and to operate the directional light source in response to the processed images.

The support mounts may have rivet holes, and the camera assembly may further comprise push rivets that pass through the board into the rivet holes of the support mounts to secure the RGB camera within the camera assembly. The mount body may have a channel extending therethrough. The channel has opposing upper and lower surfaces and a side wall therebetween. The sidewall has two angled surfaces that determine a full range of angles at which the mount body can be mounted to a rail. One of the surfaces of the channel may have a retaining boss extending therefrom. The retaining boss is located and sized to align with and fit within a groove of the rail.

The apparatus may further comprise a bracket with two arms that meet at a mounting surface, and a channel bar attached between ends of the two arms. The channel bar has dimensions adapted to fit closely within and pass through the channel of the mount body. In another embodiment, the bracket has two opposing walls and a sidewall disposed therebetween, and the mount body includes a pair of flanges, one flange of the pair on each side of the mount body, each flange having an opening therein. A first wall of the two walls of the bracket enters the channel of the mount body and has openings that align with the openings of the flanges for receiving fasteners therethrough that secure the first wall to the flanges. A second wall of the two walls has openings therein for receiving fasteners therethrough that secure the second wall to a surface.

In another aspect, the invention is related to an apparatus comprising a mount body by which to secure the apparatus to a rail. The mount body has a channel sized to receive the rail therethrough. The channel has a sidewall disposed between opposing walls. The sidewall has multiple angled surfaces that determine a full range of angles at which the rail can be secured to the mount body. The apparatus further comprises a camera assembly housing a camera, a light-guidance assembly, and a control-board assembly. The camera assembly is attached to the mount body such that the camera has a field of view that faces downwards when the apparatus is secured to the rail. The light-guidance assembly is rotatably attached to the mount body and houses one or more light sources. The control-board assembly is attached to the mount body and is in communication with the camera assembly to receive image information captured by the cameras and with the lighting assembly to control operation of the one or more light sources. The control-board assembly houses control boards configured to receive and process images captured by the camera assembly and to rotate the light-guidance assembly and operate the one or more light sources in response to the processed images.

One of the surfaces of the channel may have a retaining boss extending therefrom. The retaining boss is located and sized to align with and fit within a groove of the rail.

The apparatus may further comprise a bracket with two arms that end at a mounting surface, and a channel bar attached between ends of the two arms. The channel bar has dimensions adapted to fit closely within and pass through the channel of the mount body. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket has two opposing walls and a sidewall disposed therebetween, and the mount body includes a pair of flanges, one flange of the pair on each side of the mount body, each flange having an opening therein. A first wall of the two walls of the bracket enters the channel of the mount body and has openings that align with the openings of the flanges for receiving fasteners therethrough that secure the first wall to the flanges. A second wall of the two walls has openings therein for receiving fasteners therethrough that secure the second wall to a surface.

In some embodiments, the camera assembly has a depth sensor fixed to a mounting surface and a plurality of support mounts of different heights attached to a frame of the camera assembly, and wherein the image sensor is mounted to a board supported by the plurality of support mounts and held at a non-zero offset angle relative to the mounting surface to which the depth sensor is fixed. The support mounts may have rivet holes, and the camera assembly may further comprise push rivets that pass through the board into the rivet holes of the support mounts to secure the image sensor within the camera assembly.

In one embodiment, the one or more light sources includes a directional light source fixed to a laser assembly, and the apparatus further comprises a first motor operably coupled to the lighting assembly to pan the directional light source horizontally and a second motor operably coupled to the laser assembly to tilt the directional light source vertically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric right-side view of an embodiment of a computer-vision-based object tracking and guidance module, including a control-board assembly, a camera assembly, a mount body, and a lighting assembly.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of a panel on one side of the control-board assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a snap hook used to join a dome-shaped cover of the lighting assembly with a laser tilt base.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the embodiment of the module of FIG. 1 secured to a mounting rail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the region of the module that secures to the mounting rail.

FIG. 6 is bottom view of a section of the mount body having two angled surfaces that determine the range of possible angles at which the module can attach to the mounting rail.

FIG. 7 is a top-down view of the module mounted on the rail at a first angle (e.g., -25 degrees) for the camera assembly to be directionally pointed towards the module’s left.

FIG. 8 is a top-down view of the module mounted on the rail at a second angle (e.g., 0 degrees) for the camera assembly to be directionally pointed forward of the module.

FIG. 9 is a top-down view of the module mounted on the rail at a third angle (e.g., 25 degrees) for the camera assembly to be directionally pointed towards the module’s right.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the module, with the laser slot in the dome-shaped cover continuing along the bottom or crown of the dome.

FIG. 11 is a top-down view of the module with a section line bisecting the module through the camera assembly, the mount body, lighting assembly, and the control-board assembly.

FIG. 12 is a section view of the module in accordance with the section line of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is an exploded view the module including the control-board assembly, the mount body, the camera assembly, and the lighting assembly.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the control-board assembly including a processor core board, a POE+ board, a motor control board, and a spacer board.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the camera assembly, including the RGB camera and the depth sensor, with a section line passing lengthwise through the housing of the camera assembly.

FIG. 16 is a section view of the camera assembly in accordance with the section line of FIG. 15 .

FIG. 17 is a detail view of the RGB camera mounted at an offset angle relative to a mounting surface of the depth camera.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the pan mount assembly, including the circular pan pivot base, an optical sensor board, and the stepper motor.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a laser assembly, including a hub for receiving the shaft of a stepper motor, a laser pivot base, a laser pivot top, and the laser.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the laser tilt assembly, including a laser mount upright, a laser tilt base, a hub, an optical sensor board, a stepper motor, and the laser assembly of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a bracket by which to mount the module to an overhead rail.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a bracket by which to mount the module in a variety of configurations.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a bracket by which to mount the module to a surface, for example, a shelf.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 21 attached to the module.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 22 attached to the module in a first configuration.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 23 attached to the module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Computer-vision-based object tracking and guidance apparatuses described herein can be used to provide a secure, self-service, buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) solution without the aforementioned shortcomings of package lockers, package towers, and staffed pickup counters. Embodiments of such apparatuses or modules, as they are referred to herein, enable users to locate, identify, and pickup items, such as packages, using light and audio cues.

In brief overview, a module can register and track objects within a module’s field of view and, additionally or alternatively, guide users to specific objects using light, audio, or both. In brief overview, the module is comprised of a computer-vision system connected to and controlling a guidance system. The computer-vision system includes an image sensor, a depth sensor, or both, connected to a data processing unit capable of executing image-processing algorithms. The guidance system contains a directional light source and a mechanical and/or electrical system for the operation and orienting of the directional light source or audio system.

During operation of the module, the data processing unit acquires information or data about an object. The information may include, for example, a product description, package dimensions, addressor and addressee data. A code reader may acquire the information from a label affixed to or adjacent the object and transmit that information to the module. This object may be in the process of being placed within or being picked up from the module’s field of view, typically on a shelf or other support surface.

In the case of object placement, the guidance system can direct light at or illuminate the location where the object should be placed and/or play audio that instructs the user to where the object should be placed. The computer-vision system can then detect a presence and location of an object within the module’s field of view based on changes detected in one or more images captured by the camera assembly and determine whether the placement of the object occurred as expected. If object placement is correct, the data-processing unit registers the object at the placement location. The module can further signify correct placement by illuminating a green light (LED), for example, or audibly announcing successful placement. Conversely, the module can further signify incorrect placement by illuminating a red light (LED), for example, or audibly announcing detection of an error.

In the case of picking up the object, the data-processing unit determines the registered location of the object being picked up based on the information acquired about the object, and the light-guidance system can direct light at or illuminate the object at that location or audibly direct a user to the location. The computer-vision system can then detect whether the object has been removed from that location based on changes detected in the one or more images captured by the camera assembly. From the captured images, the computer-vision system can also determine whether the wrong package has been removed. As in the instance of object placement, the module can use light-guidance (e.g., illuminate a red or green light) to signify success or failure.

Example applications of modules described herein can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,148,918, issued Dec. 4, 2018, in U.S. Appl. No 15/861,414, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US20180197139, published Jul. 12, 2018, titled “Modular Shelving Systems for Package Tracking,” and in U.S. Appl. No 15/259,474, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US 20180068266, published Mar. 8, 2018, titled “System and Method of Object Tracking Using Weight Confirmation,” the entirety of which U.S. patent and U.S. published patent applications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric right-side view of an embodiment of a computer-vision-based object tracking and guidance apparatus (hereafter, module) 100. The module 100 includes a control-board assembly 102 connected to a top side of a mount body 104, a camera assembly 106 connected to a front side of the mount body 104, and a lighting assembly 108 rotatably connected to a bottom side of the mount body 104. For ease of the following description, words such as left-side and right-side, forward and rearward, front and back, top and bottom, up and down, upper and lower, and horizontal and vertical are used arbitrarily based on the appearance of the module in the figures; such terms are not intended to limit the principles described herein or to require any specific arrangement of the various housing and assemblies on the module or any specific positioning of the module when deployed in the field. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the module 100 are approximately 260 mm × 150 mm × 225 mm.

The control-board assembly 102 has a panel 110 (encircled by circle A) with various electrical connectors 112 for communicating with control boards housed within the control-board assembly 102. In general, the control boards perform the operations of object registration, image processing, object tracking, and light guidance.

The mount body 104 has in the shown embodiment two joined sections: an upper mount section 114 and a lower mount section 116. The joined sections of the mount body form a channel 118 that receives a rail (not shown). The channel 118 is defined by opposing upper and lower interior surfaces of the upper and lower mount sections 114, 116, respectively, and a side wall disposed therebetween. This side wall has two angled surfaces (described in FIG. 6 ) that determine different angles at which the module 100 may be mounted to the rail. The upper mount section 114 has two mounting flanges 120-1, 120-2 (generally 120) on opposite sides of the section 114, each flange 120 having a kidney-shaped opening 122 through which a fastener 124 extends when attaching the module to the rail. The upper mount section 114 also has an arm 126 to which the camera assembly 106 is fastened. Although described as being two separable sections, sections of the mount body 104 may be one section of unitary, indivisible construction.

The camera assembly 106 has an RGB camera (i.e., image sensor) 128, a depth sensor 130, and side vents 132 that allow heat generated by the internal optical sensor(s) 128, 130 to leave the assembly. The RGB camera 128 provides color information, and the depth sensor 130 provides estimated depth for each pixel of a captured image. The slant of the raised arm 126 holds the camera assembly such that the field of view of the RGB camera 128 and that of the depth sensor 130 face forward and generally downwards. One embodiment of the camera assembly 106 has no depth sensor 130. References made herein to the field of view of the camera assembly or to the field of view of the module corresponds to the field of view of the camera 128 or to the intersection (i.e., overlap) of the fields of view of the camera 128 and depth sensor 130. In one embodiment, the camera 128 and depth sensor 130 are each capable of data acquisition at 3 meters, and the module 100 monitors a 4-foot wide by 8-foot high by 1.5-foot deep zone, depending on the distance of the module from its target viewing area and/or on the fields of view of the RGB camera and depth sensor. This zone is monitored for changes in depth and/or color. The control boards of the control-board assembly 102 are in communication with the camera and optional depth sensor (via wiring that runs from the camera assembly directly to a camera receptacle 202 (FIG. 2 ) to acquire the color and pixel information captured by these optical sensors. The RGB camera 128 can be an ELP 5megapixel USB camera module, manufactured by Ailipu Technology Co., Ltd of Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, and the depth camera can be an INTEL® REALSENSE™ Depth Camera D435, manufactured by Intel Corp, of Santa Clara, CA.

The lighting assembly 108 has a translucent dome-shaped cover 134 with a frontally located slot 136. The slot 136 runs vertically along the side of the cover 134 and extends along the bottom (or crown) of the dome-shaped cover 134. Directed light (e.g., laser), when activated, originates from within the lighting assembly and passes through this slot 136 in a direction determined by the electronics on the control boards of the control-board assembly 102. The control boards are in communication with one or more light sources (not shown) in the lighting assembly (via wiring that runs from the lighting assembly, through the mount body, and into an opening in the base of the control-board assembly), to control each light source in order to provide light guidance to certain objects or areas within the field of view of the camera assembly 106, depending upon the object or region of interest. A pan pivot base 138 is fixed to the lower mount section 116.

The lighting assembly 108 further comprises a laser tilt base 139 which is rotatably coupled to the pan pivot base 138. The dome-shaped cover 134 is removably secured to the laser tilt base 139 by three snap hooks 140 (only two are visible in FIG. 1 ). The snap hooks 140 are evenly spaced (120 degrees apart) around the circumference of the laser tilt base 139 and the dome-shaped cover 134. One of the latches 140 (surrounded by circle B) is directly in line with the laser slot 136.

The dome-shaped cover 134 has three tabs (of which tabs 142-1 and 142-2 (generally, 142) are shown). The third tab is located on the far side of the dome-shaped cover, directly opposite the laser slot. The two tabs 142-1, 142-2 are spaced 135 degrees apart from the far side tab, one on either side of the third tab. The uneven spacing between the tabs ensures there is only one way to attach the cover 134 to the laser tilt base 139, to ensure correct assembly of the dome-shaped cover. The dome-shaped cover 134 is effectively keyed by its three indexing tabs 142.

When the laser slot 136 faces forward, in line with the camera assembly 106, the laser tilt base 139 is considered to be at center. The rotatable laser tilt base 139 can rotate a total of 60°; 30° to either side of center. When the laser tilt base 139 rotates, the internally located laser (not shown) and the dome-shaped cover rotates with it, thereby changing the direction in which the laser points and towards which the laser slot faces.

When deployed for operation, the module 100 is mounted in a fixed position with its RGB camera 128 and optional depth camera 130 facing a target area of interest, for example, a supporting surface or an object-holding area. Examples of the supporting surface include, but are not limited to, desktops. tables, shelves, and floor space. The object-holding area can be in a store, supermarket, warehouse, business enterprise, inventory, room, closet, hallway, cupboards, lockers, each with or without secured access. Examples of identified and tracked objects include, but are not limited to, packages, parcels, boxes, equipment, tools, food products, bottles, jars, and cans. (People may also be identified and tracked.) Each separate optical sensor 128, 130 has its own perspective of the area and of the objects placed on the supporting surface.

Modules 100 may be adjustably mounted, for example, on a sliding rail in a surveillance configuration so that all corners of an enterprise are covered. Although particularly suited for mounting to an overhead rail, modules can also be secured to other types of structures, for example, walls, posts, shelves, and pillars. In general, these modules are small and non-intrusive and can track the identifications and paths of individuals through the enterprise, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US-2018-0164103-A1, published Jun. 14, 2018, titled “System and Method of Personalized Navigation inside a Business Enterprise,” the entirety of which application is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the region surrounded by the circle A in FIG. 1 , which includes the panel 110 on one side of the control-board assembly 102. The panel 110 has ports for various electrical receptacles, including a POE+ (power over Ethernet) port 200 for Internet communications, an RGB camera receptacle 202, a motor/optical sensor receptacle 204, a lighting assembly receptacle 206, and a depth sensor receptacle 208.

By the POE+ port 200, also called an RJ45 receptacle, the module 100 can be added to a network and remotely communicated with over the Internet. For example, over a network connection, the module may communicate with one or more servers (i.e., server system), which may perform third-party services, such as “cloud services” for the module. As used herein, the “cloud” refers to software and services that run on a remote network, such as the Internet. In addition, power is supplied to the module by the POE+ connection and other operations can be performed, for example firmware updates, and remote troubleshooting.

Through the RGB camera receptacle 202, a device (e.g., computer) may communicate with and operate the camera 128. The motor/optical sensor receptacle 204 allows a device to communicate with and control pan and tilt stepper motors and optical sensor boards for pan and tilt motion of a laser gimbal (see 1310 in FIG. 13 ). Through the lighting assembly receptacle 206, communications can be had directly with the directional light source and light-emitting diodes housed within the lighting assembly 108, to test their operation.

Above the RJ45 receptacle 200 are the depth sensor receptacle 208, an HDMI (High-definition Multimedia Interface) port 210, a 5v DC power input port 212, and a power button 214. The depth sensor receptacle 208 enables communication with the depth sensor 130 of the camera assembly 106. By the HDMI port 210, the module 100 can transmit streams of audio and video to another device (e.g., a high-definition television or display). The power button 214 turns power on and off to the processor board (not shown) within the control-board assembly 102.

FIG. 3 shows a detail view of the region surrounded by circle B in FIG. 1 . A pin 300 extends from a receded edge of the laser tilt base 139. The pin 300 ends with a tip 301 that is larger than the diameter of the pin’s needle. Located on the base edge of the dome-shaped cover 134 is a pair of opposing, resilient snap hooks 302 with a gap 304 therebetween positioned to receive the tip of the pin 300 (when the dome-shaped cover 134 is properly aligned with the laser tilt base 139). The hook-ends of the snap hooks lean toward each other and form a V-shape entry for guiding the tip of the pin into the gap. As the tip of the pin 300 enters the gap 304 between snap hooks 302, the tip urges the two snap hooks 302 away from each other. When the tip has fully entered the gap, the snap hooks 302 snap towards each other, grasping the pin at the neck just behind the tip. The edge of the laser tilt base 139 meets with the edge of the dome-shaped cover 134 when the tip of the pin has fully entered the gap between the snap hooks. A slot 306 to the left of each snap hook is used to disconnect the dome-shaped cover 134 by inserting and rotating the flat end of a screwdriver, forcing the snap hooks to disengage and release.

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the module 100 having a mounting rail 400 (cross-section shown) disposed in the channel 118 defined by the upper and lower mount sections 114, 116, respectively, of the mount body 104. The upper mount section 114 has two angled surfaces that provide hard stops for determining the angle installation range of the mounting rail 400. Only one of the two angled surfaces 402 is visible in FIG. 4 ; the other angled surface is on the other side of the mount body 104, opposite and symmetric to the visible angled surface 402. A retaining boss 404 extends into the channel 118 from a surface of the upper mount section 114. The mounting rail 400 has a lengthwise groove 406; the retaining boss 404 is sized to fit closely within the groove 406 when one end of the rail 400 enters and slides through the channel 118. Disposed above the upper mount section 114, directly above where the rail 400 passes through the channel 118, is the control-board assembly 102; the placement of the control-board housing 102 provides room for the wiring that comes up through the module without the wiring having to rotate and bend.

Extending from the upper mount section 114 is the arm 126 of the mount body 104. In this embodiment, the arm 126 holds the camera assembly 106 at a fixed downwards facing slant. The downward-facing slant accommodates the installation of such modules at an elevated position relative to the object-holding area, to place as much of the object-holding area as possible within the fields of view of the cameras 128, 130 housed in the camera assembly 106. In another embodiment, the arm 126 is movable to allow for a manual or automated change in the mounting angle of the camera assembly.

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the region surrounded by circle C in FIG. 4 , the region in which the module 100 is secured to the mounting rail 400. In general, the rail 400 is fixed at a location in front of or alongside of the object-holding area and is of sufficient length to ensure that installation of the module at any location along the rail will achieve the desired coverage of the object-holding area in the field of view of the camera assembly. The width of the rail 400 is small enough to fit within the channel 118 of the mount body 104. The retaining boss 404 projects into the groove 406 of the mounting rail 400. The retaining boss guides and holds the mounting rail 400 to the module before screws 124 (FIG. 1 ) pass through the flanges 120 (FIG. 1 ) of the mount body 104 into T-nuts in the rail and tighten to hold the module 100 in place.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the upper mount section 114 with the two angled surfaces 402-1, 402-2 (generally, 402). The angled surfaces 402 are offset from each other by 50 degrees. These surfaces 402 determine the range of possible angles at which the module 100 can attach to the mounting rail 400. The retaining boss 404 resides generally central to that half of the upper mount section 114 that secures to the rail 400.

FIG. 7 shows a top-down view of the module 100 mounted on the rail 400 at a first angle (here, -25 degrees) for the camera assembly 106 to be directionally pointed towards the module’s left. When the module is mounted at the angle shown, the side of the rail 400 rests flush against the angled surface 402-2 (FIG. 6 ). Mounting screws 124 secure the module to the rail 400, each screw entering the same groove 406 in the rail as the retaining boss 404 (FIG. 4 ). Rectangular receptacles 700-1 and 700-2 connect to the pan motor and optical sensor board wiring (described in FIG. 18 ). A large circular opening 702 in the mount body is for wiring to pass through for the LED board, laser, tilt motor, and optical sensor board that are part of the lighting assembly 108, as described in connection with FIG. 12 .

FIG. 8 shows a top-down view of the module 100 mounted on the rail 400 at a second angle (e.g., 0 degrees) wherein the camera assembly 106 is directionally pointed forward of the module. In this position, the rail 400 tangentially touches the point of intersection between the two angled surfaces 402-1, 402-2 (FIG. 6 ). To secure the mounting rail 400 in this position, the mounting screws 124 are centrally located in the flanges’ kidney-shaped openings 122. The ends of the screws enter the rail groove 406. Fasteners 800, 802 (e.g., screws) secure the arm 126 to the camera assembly 106.

FIG. 9 shows a top-down view of the module 100 mounted on the rail 400 at a third angle (e.g., 25 degrees) at which the camera assembly 106 is directionally pointed towards the module’s right. Mounting screws 124 pass through the flanges 120 and secure the module to the rail 400. Each screw enters the same groove 406 in the rail as the retaining boss (not shown).

With the module mounted in this position, the rail 400 rests flush against the angled surface 402-1 (FIG. 6 ). The module can be installed at any angle between those shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 , its full range being 50 degrees. The different mounting angles allow the module to be placed anywhere along the mounting rail in front of a shelf and have a field of view that covers the shelf. For example, consider a mounting rail that runs parallel to the full width of shelving in front of it. A module facing the shelving and mounted on the far left of the rail (and thus of the shelving) can be angled to face towards the right; a module mounted at the center of the rail can be angled to face forward; and a module mounted at the far right of the rail can be angled to face left.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the module 100, with the laser slot 136 in the dome-shaped cover 134 continuing along the bottom or crown of the dome-shaped cover. Directional light (e.g., laser light) can exit the dome-shaped cover anywhere along the extent of the laser slot. With the laser slot extending along the bottom of the dome, the laser light can point directly below the dome-shaped cover and, thus, immediately below and slightly behind (the camera assembly 106 being considered at the front) the module.

FIG. 11 shows a top-down view of the module 100 with a section line AA bisecting the module 100 through the camera assembly 106, the mount body 104, the lighting assembly 108 (scarcely visible in the figure), and the control-board assembly 102.

FIG. 12 shows a section view of the module 100 in accordance with the section line AA of FIG. 11 , to disclose various internal features and components of the control-board assembly 102, the mount body 104, the camera assembly 106, and the lighting assembly 108.

The control-board assembly 102 houses a complex of control boards 1200-1, 1200-2, 1200-3 (generally, 1200), and a spacer board 1200-4 in a tower arrangement. Control board 1200-1, atop the tower, is the processor core board 1200-1 that provides the computational power to run algorithms and process images. On the processor core board 1200-1 is a processor (not shown) which executes the algorithms and performs image processing. Mounted to the processor core board 1200-1 is a heat sink 1202. Disposed below the control board 1200-1 is the control board 1200-2, also referred to as the POE+ board. The POE+ board includes the RJ45 receptacle 200 (FIG. 2 ) and a component 1204 (e.g., a chipset, integrated circuit), which provides internet connectivity and power and converts the POE+ input to 9v. Below the POE+ board 1200-2 is the control board 1200-3, which connects the complex of control boards 1200 to the stepper motors, optical sensor boards, the RGB camera 128, and the laser 1206 and LED board 1208 of the lighting assembly 108. Disposed between the processor control board 1200-1 and the POE+ board 1200-2 is the control board 1200-4, also referred to as the spacer board. The spacer board 1200-4 provides communication among the processor core board 1200-1, the POE+ board 1200-2, and the motor control board 1200-3. A component on the spacer board 1200-4 converts power from 9v to 5v for the processor control board 1200-1.

The mount body 104 includes the upper mount section 114, the lower mount section 116, and the arm 126. The upper mount section 114 includes the retaining boss 404, which projects into the channel 118 between the sections 114, 116. Fasteners 1210 (only one of three shown) secure the control-board assembly 102 to the upper mount section 114, fasteners 1212 (only one of three shown) secure the upper mount section 114 to the lower mount section 116, and fasteners 1214 (only one of three shown) secure the lower mount section 116 to the pan pivot base 138. Bosses in the lower mount section 116 ensure assembly can occur in only one manner. Two electrical connections 1216 pass through the two sections 114, 116, for the pan motor and accompanying optical sensor board. The lower mount section 116 includes a cavity 1218, within which a stepper motor 1220 is disposed. The shaft 1222 of the stepper motor 1220 projects into the laser tilt base 139, by which the stepper motor 1220 rotates the laser tilt base 139, and thus the lighting assembly 108. The laser tilt base 139 can rotate a total of 60°, 30° to either side of center.

The camera assembly 106 houses the RGB camera 128 and the depth sensor 130. Because of the slant at which the arm 126 holds the camera assembly 106, the lower mount section 116 has a recessed region 1224 that allows the bottom of the camera assembly 106 to extend into it.

The lighting assembly 108 houses a laser tilt assembly 1225, which includes a wheel-shaped laser assembly 1226 with the laser 1206 housed therein. In one embodiment, the laser 1206 is a class IIIR red laser. The light-emitting end of the laser 1206 is at the circumference of the wheel-shaped laser assembly 1226. The laser assembly 1226 rotates about an axis 1228 that is perpendicular to the drawn page. Rotating the laser assembly 1226 tilts the laser and, thus, the pointing direction of the laser; the laser tilts vertically, in accordance with the rotation of the laser assembly. In one embodiment, the full range by which laser assembly can tilt the laser is 135 degrees. Below the laser assembly 1226 is the LED board 1208 having an array of LEDs. The LED board 1208 produces RGB light. Under control of the processor, the LED board can provide a variety of signals, for example, red is a warning, green is success, blinking is an attractive alert.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view the module 100 including the control-board assembly 102, the mount body 104, the camera assembly 106, and a rotatable laser gimbal 1310, which includes the lighting assembly 108 with the laser tilt base 139. The exploded view illustrates the connectivity among the various assemblies of the module 100. The control-board assembly 102 includes a cover 1300 that houses a tower of control boards 1200. Fasteners 1210, three in all, pass through the cover 1300 and the base 1304 of the control-board assembly 102 and attach to the upper mount section 114 of the mount body 104. Three fasteners 1212 secure the upper mount section to the lower mount section 116 of the mount body 104; fasteners 800, 802 secure the camera assembly 106 to the arm 126 of the mount body 104; and a fastener 1214 (FIG. 12 ) secures the lower mount section 116 to a pan mount assembly 1306, which includes the pan stepper motor 1220. When the module is assembled, the shaft 1222 of the pan stepper motor 1220 couples to the laser tilt base 139 disposed within the lighting assembly 108.

FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the control-board assembly 102 (cover omitted) including the processor core board 1200-1, the POE board 1200-2, the motor control board 1200-3, and the spacer board 1200-4. The exploded view illustrates the connectivity among the various boards 1200 (collectively) of the control-board assembly 102. The processor core board 1200-1 includes the heat sink 1202, the depth sensor receptacle 208, the HDMI receptacle 210, and the power input 212. The POE board 1200-2 includes the RJ45 receptacle 200, the POE+ integrated circuit 1204, and the electronic component 1205 (FIG. 12 ). The motor control board 1200-3 includes the camera receptacle 202, motor/optical sensor receptacle 204, and lighting assembly receptacle 206. The motor control board 1200-3 connects the board stack to the stepper motors, optical sensor boards, RGB camera, laser, and LED board. The tower of control boards 1200 is built on the base 1304, which includes a lower portion of the side panel 110. The cover 1300 (FIG. 13 ) couples to the base 1304. Pin connectors 1400 electrically connect each pair of neighboring boards 1200 and provide electrical connectivity throughout the tower.

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the camera assembly 106 with the RGB camera 128 adjacent to the depth sensor 130 (which includes an IR (infrared) projector and two IR cameras offset from the projector by different distances to enable three-dimensional readings). Some commercially available depth cameras (i.e., depth sensors) also include an RGB camera. Typically, however, the dimensions of the field of view of the accompanying RGB camera do not match and may be smaller than those of the depth camera, and thus may be less suitable for object-tracking applications. Accordingly, the separate RGB camera 128 is selected to have a field of view with dimensions that closely match those of the depth sensor 130. Section line B passes lengthwise through the housing of the camera assembly 106.

FIG. 16 shows the section view of the camera assembly 106 in accordance with the section line BB of FIG. 15 . The RGB camera 128 is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) 1600. The RGB camera 128 is mounted at a non-zero-degree offset angle relative to the depth camera 130. Because the RGB camera and depth camera, being adjacent each other, have fields of view that are spatially offset from each other, the non-zero-degree offset angle increases the overlap of their fields of view. The offset angle makes mounting the camera with screws difficult because the bearing surfaces of the screws do not contact the PCB board 1600 uniformly. To overcome this problem, plastic push rivets 1602 are used to fasten the RGB camera to the housing frame 1604. The plastic push rivets allow for the misalignment of the hole axis with the mounting surface.

FIG. 17 shows a detail view of the region surrounded by circle D in FIG. 16 . In this embodiment shown, the RGB camera 128 is mounted at a 3-degree offset angle 1700 relative to a mounting surface 1702 of the depth camera 130. The offset angle 1700 tilts the RGB camera towards the depth camera 130. The technique includes two pairs of support mounts 1704-1, 1704-2 (generally 1704) of different heights (support mounts 1704-2 being the shorter of the two pair). In FIG. 17 , each pair of support mounts has one support mount in the foreground obscuring the other in the background. The support mounts 1704 support the board 1600 that holds the RGB camera 128 at the non-zero-degree angle. The support mounts have rivet holes to receive the plastic push rivets. The rivets pass through the board 1600 into the rivet holes of the support mounts to secure the RGB camera to the frame 1604. The plastic push rivets 1602 allow for the misalignment of the rivet axis 1709 with the mounting surface 1702. The angle 1706 between the perpendicular axis 1708 of the push rivet hole (for mount pair 1704-1) and the board 1600 is 93 degrees. The angle between the perpendicular axis 1708 of the rivet hole and the perpendicular axis 1709 through the push rivet 1602 is 3 degrees.

FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the pan mount assembly 1306, including the circular pan pivot base 138, an optical sensor board 1800, and the stepper motor 1220 (FIG. 12 ). The exploded view is of the underside of the pan mount assembly 1306. The shaft 1222 of the stepper motor passes through a central opening 1802 of the pan pivot base 138 from the topside of the pan mount assembly 1306; the optical sensor board 1800 attaches to the underside, with a four-pin wiring connector of the sensor 1804 extending through a rectangular aperture 1806. The optical sensor 1800 determines when the stepper motor has rotated the pan pivot base 138 to a specific location. This specific location corresponds to when two projections, referred to as bosses 2024 on the laser tilt base 139 (FIG. 20 ) interrupt a light beam sent out by the emitting diode portions 1810 of the optical sensor 1800. The pan pivot base 138 includes a pair of arcuate openings 1808-1, 1808-2 (generally 1808) through which wires pass. Wires passing through opening 1808-1 are for the laser and LED board; wires passing through 1808-2 are for the tilt motor and tilt optical sensor board. Each of the arcuate openings 1808 spans 80 degrees, 40 degrees each side of center, which gives room for the wires to travel 60 degrees, 30 degrees each side of center.

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the laser assembly 1226, including a 3-screw hub 1900 (for receiving the shaft of a stepper motor - not shown), a laser pivot base 1902, a laser pivot top 1904, and the laser 1206 (e.g., FIG. 12 ). The hub 1900 fits closely into a compartment 1906 on one side of the laser pivot base 1902 and is secured therein by three fasteners 1908 that enter the hub from the other side of the laser pivot base 1902. The hub 1900 can be assembled in only one way because of a notch. Fasteners 1910 join the laser pivot base 1902 to the laser pivot top 1904. On an interior side, the laser pivot top 1904 has a compartment 1912 for holding the laser 1206 in position where the light-emitting end 1914 of the laser is at an opening 1916 formed by the joined laser pivot base and top. Wiring to the laser 1206 exits through the center hole 1905. A set screw 1918, which passes through a press-fit expansion thread 1922, secures the laser 1206 within the laser assembly 1226.

FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the laser tilt assembly 1225, including a laser mount upright 2000, the laser tilt base 139, a 3-screw hub 2004, an optical sensor board 2006, a stepper motor 2008, and the laser assembly 1226 of FIG. 19 . The laser tilt base 139 has a compartment 2010 sized and shaped to closely receive the hub 2004, into which the shaft 1222 of the stepper motor 1220 (FIG. 18 ) enters. Three fasteners 2012 enter the hub 2004 from the other side of the laser tilt base 139 to secure the hub 2004 in the compartment 2010. The laser tilt base 139 is adapted to couple to the pan pivot base 138 (FIG. 18 ). When the shaft 1222 of the stepper motor 1220 (FIG. 18 ) turns, the laser tilt base 139 rotates with it, thereby panning the direction of the laser light horizontally. The laser tilt base 139 also has recesses 2011 sized, shaped, and appropriately spaced apart to receive the tabs 142 (FIG. 1 ) of the dome-shaped cover 134 (FIG. 1 ).

From a first side of the laser mount upright 2000, the shaft 2014 of the stepper motor 2008 passes through an opening 2016 in the laser mount upright 2000 and enters the central keyed opening of the hub 1900 (FIG. 19 ) of the laser assembly 1226. A set screw 2018 holds the shaft 2014 in place within the hub 1900. When the shaft 2014 of the stepper motor 2008 turns, the laser assembly 1226 rotates with it, thereby tilting the direction of the laser light vertically.

On the opposite side of the laser mount upright 2000, fasteners 2020 secure the stepper motor 2008 to the laser mount upright 2000. On the opposite side of the laser mount upright 2000, fasteners 2022 secure the optical sensor board 2006 to the laser mount upright 2000. The optical sensor 2006 determines when the stepper motor 2008 has rotated the laser assembly 1226 (FIG. 19 ) to a specific location that corresponds to when two projections 1920 (FIG. 19 ) on the laser assembly 1226 interrupt a light beam sent out by the emitting diode portions 2026 of the optical sensor board 2006. Bosses 2024 interrupt the pan motion optical sensor board 2006. Fasteners 2028 secure the laser mount upright 2000 to the laser tilt base 139. Pin receptacles 2030 provide electrical connectivity between the motor control board 1200-3 (FIG. 14 ) and the stepper motor 2008, the LED board 1208 (FIG. 12 ), and the laser 1206 (FIG. 19 ).

FIG. 21 shows an alternative embodiment by which to mount the module 100 to an overhead rail. In this embodiment, a v-shaped bracket 2100 with two arms 2102-1, 2102-2 that secure to opposite sides of a channel bar 2104. The channel bar 2104 is placed within the channel 118 of the module (e.g., as shown in FIG. 24 ). Flange bolts 124 (FIG. 1 ) secure the module to the channel bar. At the peak or point of the V is a horizontal mounting surface 2106. The mounting surface 2106 has holes 2110 for receiving mounting bolts to secure the bracket 2100 to an overhead rail. When connected to the bracket 2100, the overhead rail runs generally perpendicular to the channel bar 2104. In another embodiment, the overhead rail runs parallel to the channel bar. In the sides of the bracket 2100 are elliptical openings 2108 that provide space to enable an allen key to reach the screws 124 (FIG. 1 ) to tighten the module in place.

FIG. 22 shows another embodiment by which to mount the module 100 to a structure, such as a rail, a post, or a flat surface. In this embodiment, a rectangular-shaped bracket 2200 has two opposing sides 2202-1, 2202-2, a channel bar 2204, and a fastening surface 2206. The fastening surface 2206 has holes of different shapes and sizes including holes 2208, small and large arcuate openings 2210, a circular opening 2212, and slots 2214. The holes 2208 can be used to receive mounting bolts to secure the bracket to the structure. The large arcuate openings provide clearance for the grommet used to protect the POE+ cable coming from the rail to which the bracket is mounted. The small arcuate openings provide space for the fastening bolts to pass through surface 2206 and secure the bracket 2200. The circular opening 2212 is used for when the bracket 2200 is mounted with the channel bar 2204 perpendicular to the rail (i.e., boom), and the arcuate openings of the same diameter are for when the bracket 2200 is mounted on the rail at an angle. The sides 2202-1, 2202-2 each has several punch-out holes of two different sizes: holes 2216-1, 2216-2, and 2216-3 are near an edge of the side 2202-1 and are larger in size than holes 2218-1, 2218-2, 2218-3, and 2218-4, which form a rectangular constellation.

The rectangular-shaped bracket 2200 can be mounted in at least six different ways. FIG. 25 shows a first configuration in which to mount the bracket 2200 under a rail or under a shelf. In this configuration, bolts 2222 fasten the channel bar 2204 at both of its ends to the opposing side surfaces 2202-1, 2202-2. The channel bar 2204 is placed within the channel 118 of the module 100 and flange bolts 124 (FIG. 1 ) secure the module to the channel bar. When connected to the bracket 2200, an overhead rail runs generally perpendicular to the channel bar 2204.

In a second configuration, the bracket 2200 can be mounted against a wall or similar surface by fastening the surface 2206 flush against the surface using four bolts through slots 2214. In this configuration, the channel bar 2204 is mounted in holes 2216-3 and 2216-2, or in holes 2216-2 and 2216-1, with the groove in the channel bar 2204 parallel to and facing the panel 2220. Before mounting, the inner material of the two selected holes is punched out to allow the bolts 2222 to pass through them and into the channel bar 2204.

In the third and fourth configurations, the bracket 2200 can be mounted with either the side 2202-1 or side 2202-2 pressed flush against a surface, using holes 2218-1, 2218-2, 2218-3, and 2218-4 to mount to the surface or to a circular tube measuring 1″ in diameter using U-bolts.

In a fifth configuration, the bracket 2200 can be mounted with the surface 2206 flush on top of a surface or shelf and fastened using bolts and the slots 2214. In this configuration, the bracket 2200 is upside down from that shown in FIG. 22 , with the bolts 2222 fastening the channel bar 2204 to the sides 2202-1, 2202-2 as shown in FIG. 22 , but with the channel bar 2204 rotated 180 degrees so that groove in the channel bar is parallel to and facing away from the opposing surface 2206.

In a sixth configuration, the bracket 2200 can be mounted on a vertical rail or on a vertical surface using holes 2208 to fasten the bracket to the rail or surface. In this configuration the channel rail 2204 is mounted either in holes 2216-3 and 2216-2 or in holes 2216-2 and 2216-1 with the groove in the channel bar being parallel to and facing the panel 2220.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of a U-shaped bracket 2300 by which to attach the module 100 to a surface, for example, a shelf. Unlike the brackets 2100, 2200 of FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 , respectively, this embodiment of bracket 2300 does not have a channel bar for attaching to the module. The bracket 2300 includes opposing walls 2302-1, 2302-2 (generally, 2302) and an orthogonal sidewall 2304 disposed therebetween. The spacing between the walls 2302, which corresponds to the height of the sidewall 2304, is wide enough to fit the lighting assembly therebetween, as shown in FIG. 26 . One of the walls 2302-1 couples to the module 100; the other of the walls 2302-2 couples to a flat surface, such as a shelf. The wall 2302-1 that couples to the module 100 includes a middle opening 2306 and two outer openings 2308-1, 2308-2 (generally, 2308), one outer opening 2308 on each side of the middle opening 2306. The middle opening 2306 is to allow for clearance of the boss 404 (FIG. 5 ). The locations of the outer openings 2308 align with the flanges 120 (FIG. 1 ) of the module; the size of the openings 2308 are designed to receive hardware (i.e., fasteners 124 of FIG. 1 ) that secure the bracket 2300 to the flanges 120. The openings 2308 allow fasteners 124 (FIG. 1 ) to pass through and tighten to nuts (not shown) to fasten the module 100 to the surface 2302-1. The opposite wall 2302-2, which couples to a flat surface, has two pairs of openings 2310-1, 2310-2 for receiving hardware or fasteners that couple the bracket 2300 (and the module 100) to that surface. The bracket 2300 can attach to the module as shown in FIG. 26 , with the wall 2302-1 passing below the flanges 120, part of the way into the channel 118. While the module 100 faces directly forward in FIG. 26 , the kidney-shaped openings in the flanges 120 allow the module to be coupled at an angle facing left or right.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, and apparatus. Thus, some aspects of the present invention may be embodied entirely in hardware, entirely in software (including, but not limited to, firmware, program code, resident software, microcode), or in a combination of hardware and software.

Having described above several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the methods and apparatuses discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The methods and apparatuses are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” means that a feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein. References to one embodiment within the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all the described terms. Any references to front and back, left and right, top and bottom, upper and lower, and vertical and horizontal are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present systems and methods or their components to any one positional or spatial orientation. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, and the scope of the invention should be determined from proper construction of the appended claims, and their equivalents. 

1. (canceled)
 2. An apparatus comprising: a mount body by which to secure the apparatus to a structure; a camera assembly fixed to the mount body, the camera assembly including an image sensor that captures images within its field of view; a controller in electrical communication with the camera assembly to acquire the images captured by the image sensor, the controller configured to acquire information about an object, to associate a location within the field of view of the image sensor with the object and, based on the images acquired from the camera assembly, to detect change within the field of view of the image sensor corresponding to placement or removal of the obj ect.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a lighting assembly rotatably coupled to the mount body, the lighting assembly housing one or more light sources including a directional light source secured to a laser assembly, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the lighting assembly to control an articulation of the one or more light sources relative to the mount body.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller communicates with the lighting assembly to point light emitted by the one or more light sources at the location associated with the object by controlling an articulation of at least one of the one or more light sources in response to the images.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lighting assembly is rotatably connected to a bottom side of the mount body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more light sources includes a laser assembly.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lighting assembly has a translucent dome-shaped cover with a frontally located slot that runs vertically along the side of the cover and extends along a bottom of the cover.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more light sources, when activated, generates light originating from within the lighting assembly and passes the light through the slot in a direction determined by the controller.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a mount body; a lighting assembly attached to the mount body, the lighting assembly housing a directional light source; a camera assembly attached to the mount body, the camera assembly housing at least two cameras that capture image information within their fields of view, the camera assembly having a mounting surface upon which one of the at least two cameras is fixed; and a control-board assembly attached to the mount body, the control-board assembly being in communication with the camera assembly to receive image information captured by the cameras and with the lighting assembly to control operation of the directional light source, the control-board assembly housing control boards including a processor configured to receive and process images captured by the camera assembly and to operate the directional light source in response to the processed images.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least two cameras include a RGB (red green blue) camera and a depth camera.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control-board assembly communicates with the lighting assembly to point light emitted by the directional light source at the location associated with an object by controlling an articulation of at least one of the one or more light sources in response to the images.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lighting assembly is rotatably connected to a bottom side of the mount body.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more light sources includes a laser assembly.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lighting assembly has a translucent dome-shaped cover with a frontally located slot that runs vertically along the side of the cover and extends along a bottom of the cover.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more light sources, when activated, generates light originating from within the lighting assembly and passes the light through the slot in a direction determined by the control-board assembly.
 16. An apparatus comprising: a mount body; a camera assembly attached to the mount body, the camera assembly housing at least two cameras that capture image information within their fields of view, the camera assembly having a mounting surface upon which one of the at least two cameras is fixed; and a control-board assembly attached to the mount body, the control-board assembly being in communication with the camera assembly to receive image information captured by the cameras, the control-board assembly housing control boards including a processor configured to receive and process images captured by the camera assembly and to operate a directional light source in response to the processed images.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the control-board assembly operates the directional light source by communicating with the directional light source to point light at a location associated with an object by controlling an articulation of at least one of the one or more light sources in response to the images.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the directional light source is rotatably connected the mount body, and the control-board assembly causes the directional light source to rotate relative to the mount body.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the directional light source has a cover with a frontally located slot that runs vertically along the side of the cover and extends along a bottom of the cover.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the directional light source, when activated, generates light originating from within the cover and passes the light through the slot in a direction determined by the control-board assembly.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more light sources includes a laser assembly. 